The inaugural Yallingup Surfilm Festival was an overwhelming success! More than 2,000 festival goers flocked to the first annual Yallingup Surfilm Festival to celebrate surf culture in the South West of WA, at Madfish Winery, the iconic Yallingup Hall and yoga centre Samudra in Dunsborough.

As Tim Baker writes on his blog (www.bytimbaker.com): “The Yallingup Surf Film Festival was a delight from start to finish, well run, culturally charged, well catered, and gallons of good wine to keep the mood right. The gritty expose of early Indo surf exploration and drug running, Sea of Darkness, won best feature, and Cyrus Sutton's look at Tom Wegener's Alaia, Tom's Creation Plantation, won best short. But, dare I say it, the real winner was the genre of surf films - intelligent, thoughtful, artfully shot and lovingly crafted films that tell real human stories. Comes as something of a relief after years of mindless eye candy. A huge crowd favourite was Somewhere Near Tapachula, which tells the story of an orphanage in Mexico, which takes its kids surfing as a kind of healing therapy. Beautiful and moving. (ed.)Bring on next year's festival.”

THANK YOU TIM! for these wonderful words.

With a chilled-out crowd enjoying the relaxing atmosphere a variety of musicians and filmmakers took to the stage, treating us all to fabulous sounds and most interesting insights in to the films shown on the night.

The wind was cold, the films were great and the vibe was buzzing. Great food, excellent wines and steaming hot coffee kept us cozy on our chairs, swags and beanbags.

Friday

Fil and Tim Baker ( no, really, not related...) discussed the Life and Films of Alby Falzon, Tom Wegener gave us an extra insight into the shaping of Alaia boards and Jolyon Hoff was beamed in on the big screen via live Skype to join us too! What a night!

Saturday

On Saturday world Premiere Gum for my Boat caused a stir and a roaring applause, and the inspiring film Jesse’s Story, showing Rob Machado, Kelly Slater and more helping Jesse surf again, had 700 pairs of eyes glued to the screen.

Saturday’s Surf Culture Forum at Yallingup Hall was fascinating, fun & informative. The line up of panellists was phenomenal: Kevin Merifield, George Simpson, Taj Burrow, Tim Baker, Damon Eastaugh, Claire Bavilacqua, Amy Fresca and Lizzie Nunn. The discussion had one common thread: Good attitude in and out of the water leads to respect and opens up to a shared enjoyment of catching a wave.

Following the the SC Forum, The Australian Premiere of Sea of Darkness started out, with the audience bearing black lips, teeth and tongue as they had just enjoyed a cool surprise gift of liquorice icecream donated by Simmo’s Icecream. The mind-boggling film, which ended up winning the inaugural YSF Best Feature film Award, was followed by Tim Baker’s interview with Martin Daly. Martin, who was heavily involved in the story of SOD, kept all on the edge of their seats.

Sunday

Back at Madfish Winery for the last night, which was filled with excellent films, heartwarming discussions with the filmmakers and the Award Presentations.

Juan Bonner from Urugay gave us a good insight on surf culture in Uruguay and Stefan Hunt and Moacir told us the story of the Mision and the orphaned children in Somewhere near Tapachula. The arrival of Hannah, Moacir’s ‘sister’ from Perth, who had not seen the film yet, telling the story of her parents managing the orphanage and helping the children find happiness through surfing, had most people in awe and some shed a tear.

Mick Sowry shared his story about the making of Musica Surfica; it was an honour to have Mick at YSF, as originally the idea of YSF was inspired by his fabulous film.

The Award Presentations were of course a highlight. Tom Wegener accepted the Short Film award on behalf of Cyrus Sutton, who was in the US. George Simpson accepted the award for Sea of Darkness, as Martin Daly had just flown out to attend X-Dance /Sundance festival.

The winning films of the Inaugural YSF Awards are:
Best Feature Film Sea of Darkness - by Michael Oblowitz
Best Short Film Tom’s Creation Plantation - by Cyrus Sutton
People’s Choice Award Somewhere Near Tapachula - by Stefan Hunt & Jonno Durrant

The Surf Art Display

The pioneers of Western Australian surfing were the subject of the art display, showcasing old photographs and surfboards which is a sample collection of the Yallingup Surf Museum which will be opening later in 2010.

Karlee Mackie a free surfer and brilliant artist created several live art auction pieces over the weekend for Surfaid International Auction, which raised a total of $3500.

Thank you!

Many thanks go out to the awesome bunch of people who gave up their time and efforts to help make this festival into a great success. Thank you! to Media and PR coordinators Tatianna Alpert in Sydney from the Little Hobo Project and local PR wiz Brooke Thomas.
Thank you to all YSF Crew!

Thank you! to the YSF Board: Ray Crake, Mark Tyler, Ron Swinney, Claire Strong, Brooke Thomas, Justin Wallace, Sepp Hock and Emma-Clare Bussell.

Thank you! to all YSF Screening Panelists:Albe Falzon, Drew Kampion, Tim Baker, Dr Dave Jenkins, Damon Eastaugh, John Malloy and Rick Jakovich.

Thank you! to all the phenomenal artists participating in YSF.

Principal Partner Canal Rocks Beachfront Apartments ensured that many film-makers, surf legends and artists could attend the event. Some flew in from all over the world; Thank you!
And of course a big thank you to all those sponsors and donors who believed in us in this very first year. Without you, none of this would have been possible.

I look forward to seeing you all again next year, the 2011 dates will be announced soon.

YSF will not sit still during the next 12 months. First up, we proudly present to you:
17th FEBRUARY 2010, 8PM START
MARGARET RIVER CULTURAL CENTRE
LAST HOPE
Andrew Kidman and the Windy Hills, playing Live whilst screening Last Hope, 16 original short films inspired by the sea. With special guest Holly Throsby.
Tickets: $20, from Vintage Surf, Country Waves and Beach Life Surf Shops.

Another must attend YSF event!

Aloha!
Jesca and the Team at YSF.